Can you go snowshoeing in Sälen?

Snowshoe walking in Sälen is winter’s best-kept secret. Whilst the queues for the ski lifts stretch out on the slopes, the mountain forest lies quietly a few hundred metres away, and with a pair of snowshoes on your feet, you can get there without any skiing experience, without a lift and without needing to be able to turn. It’s the most accessible winter activity the mountains have to offer – and for many, the most beautiful. This guide explains how it works, where to go and what to bear in mind. If you’d like to be accompanied by someone who knows the terrain, there are guided tours in the mountains to book, which is the easiest way to get started.

This activity is particularly suited to those who visit the area without going downhill skiing – a growing segment of visitors for whom we have compiled ideas on the themed page Experience the mountains without skiing. The snowshoe walk is often the experience they remember best.

Short answer: a snowshoe hike on the Sälen route is the easiest way to explore the winter mountains

Snowshoes are essentially a raft for your feet: a wide frame that distributes your weight so that you walk on top of the snow rather than sinking up to your waist. It takes about five minutes to get the hang of it – if you can walk, you can walk in snowshoes. You don’t need a slope, a ski lift or any prior winter training; a pair of winter boots, warm clothes and a couple of hours are all you need. This makes it one of the few activities where a mixed group – grandparents, children, beginners and experienced mountain walkers – can actually all do the same thing at the same time. The pace is leisurely, and that’s part of the charm: a snowshoe hike is about being outdoors, not about reaching a destination.

Where can you go snowshoeing in Sälenfjällen?

The most common and best terrain for beginners is the mountain birch forest and the forested zone just below the tree line. There, the snow is sheltered, the landscape is varied and finding your way is easy as you can always see where you are. Up on the bare mountain, the snow is often hard-packed by the wind, which, paradoxically, makes snowshoes less necessary but the views all the more spectacular. A good plan for your first outing is to start near a ski resort, head into the forest and follow a loop back. Avoid crossing groomed cross-country ski tracks and snowmobile trails, and stay clear of ski runs and the areas where snow groomers are operating. Leave steep terrain to those who are trained for it – snowshoe walks should be on flat, familiar ground.

Renting or buying snowshoes – what you need to know

The vast majority of people hire them, and that’s the right decision if you don’t already know that you’ll be going out often. Rental companies in the Sälenområdet area stock snowshoes seasonally, often together with poles, which are part of the kit and make the walk considerably more stable. Check well in advance, particularly during the school holidays, as the number of pairs is limited compared to skis. If you do decide to buy your own, the choice mainly comes down to size in relation to your weight (including your pack), and whether the bindings fit your winter boots. Current prices and availability vary between rental companies and seasons – check directly with them ahead of your week. You’ll need to bring your own high, waterproof boots and gaiters; snow in your boots will ruin a trip faster than the cold.

Guided snowmobile tour: what’s included and who it’s suitable for

A guided tour sorts out three things at once: the equipment is provided, the route is chosen to suit the day’s conditions, and someone explains what you’re seeing. For most first-time walkers, it’s worth every krona, not least because a guide can read the snow and the weather in a way that takes years to learn on your own. Tours are usually available in several formats – a couple of hours in the afternoon, a half-day tour with a coffee break by the fire, or an evening tour with headlamps when the landscape looks completely different. What’s included varies between organisers, so ask about equipment, duration and difficulty when you book. Our overview of winter activities in Sälen shows how snowmobile tours fit in with the rest of the range of activities on offer.

Clothing and pace in the winter cold

Snowshoe walking is warmer than it sounds. You use your whole body and work up a sweat easily, which becomes a problem as soon as you stop – wet clothes cool you down quickly in the winter air. So dress in layers that you can adjust whilst walking: moisture-wicking base layers, a mid-layer you can take off when going uphill, and a windproof outer layer to put on during breaks. Pack an extra jumper in your rucksack specifically for when you stop. Mittens are better than gloves, a hat and a buff are essential, and a hot drink in a flask lifts the spirits more than anything else. Also remember that winter days are short – plan your walk so that you’re back before it gets dark, or take a head torch if you’re walking late.

Safety: daylight, the weather and sticking to familiar areas

Snowshoe walking is a safe activity as long as you stick to what you’re capable of, but the winter mountains are less forgiving than the summer mountains. Never go alone; tell someone where you’re going and when you’re due back, and stick to flat, familiar terrain close to the facilities. Check the forecast before you set off – we’ve explained mountain weather in winter and how quickly conditions can change, as explained in our guide. Turn back as soon as visibility drops or the wind picks up; no destination is worth a dangerous journey home. If you are in the slightest doubt about the terrain, or wish to venture into steeper terrain, you should go with a guide. The Mountain Safety Council has compiled information on winter tours in the Swedish mountains which is well worth reading before your first trip.

After the trip – a sauna, a meal and some rest at the cottage

The best part of a snowmobile ride often comes afterwards. Cold cheeks, wet socks and a couple of hours of silence in the woods make a sauna experience something quite different from an ordinary evening, and a cottage with a sauna and spa turns the activity into a full-day experience. Make sure the house has somewhere to dry your kit – snowshoes, boots and ski suits should be taken off the floor and hung up until the next day. A stew that’s been simmering whilst you were out is certainly no bad thing either. It’s precisely this combination – the silence outside and the warmth inside – that keeps many people coming back to snowshoeing year after year.

Summary – snowshoe hike in Sälen, a peaceful winter mountain walk

A brief guide to snowshoe walking in Sälen:

• No skiing experience is required – you’ll pick up the technique in a matter of minutes.
• The best terrain for beginners is the mountain birch forest just below the tree line.
• It’s better to hire than buy the first time, and book well in advance during the school holidays.
• A guided tour takes care of equipment, the route and expert knowledge all in one go.
• Wear layers, bring an extra jumper for the breaks and a hot drink.
• Never go out alone, stick to flat, familiar terrain, and turn back if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

A snowshoe hike on the Sälen trail offers you the winter mountains at their most peaceful – and the only equipment you really need is time.